Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomes President Donald Trump at the beginning of the working sessions for the G7 assembly in Canada.

During the press availability President Trump notes the G7 used to be the G8, however following the Crimea referendum and President Putin’s response to accept the outcome of the vote, the NATO alliance led by President Barack Obama took Russia out of the group.  President Trump says he “agreed” with Putin’s reaction to the decision.

The G7 speak about Russia consistently at almost every meeting, without a willingness to listen to the voice or opinion of Russia in context to their protestations.  Quite simply it is easier for Italy, Canada, the U.K, France, Germany, Japan and the USA to exist inside an echo-chamber without having their multilateral arguments challenged.  President Trump does not fear the debate of ideas with Russia present in the room, another point of distinction between Trump and the assembly.

Wrong is wrong even if everybody does it; and right is right even if nobody does it. It takes strong confidence to assert a position counter to popular opinion, this is what makes President Donald Trump a transformative political influence.

In the background, President Vladimir Putin is undoubtedly paying attention.

Also, read carefully what President of the European Council António Costa said today:

CANADA – […] European Commission boss Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council António Costa on Sunday both urged Trump to stop hurting the global economy with tariffs.

“Let’s keep trade between us fair, predictable and open. All of us need to avoid protectionist measures — this is an important message that the G7 can send to the markets and to the world,” von der Leyen told reporters, speaking alongside Costa at the first press conference of the G7 leaders’ meeting in Canada.

Calling for “a frank discussion among the G7 partners, restoring a sense of stability and predictability among ourselves,” von der Leyen stressed Brussels was still negotiating a trade truce with Washington.

Costa said the EU can’t increase defense spending, as Trump wants it to, if it has to fight a trade war at the same time.” (link)

A parasitic statement if there ever was one.

Put another way, the EU threatens that President Trump will not be able to lessen USA military spending from NATO, if he simultaneously demands reciprocal trade rules from NATO countries.

Insufferable is an understatement.